Released on January 14, 2009

KB Alloys LLC, Reading, Pa., has completed a $2 million upgrade at its Henderson, Ky., facility.

The expansion and equipment installations, first announced in 2008, were primarily focused on an improved strontium metal production plant, bar casting centers and conforming equipment used to produce ingot, bar, rod and coiled rod products for the aluminum industry.

The new facility will produce strontium-aluminum alloys 5Sr, 10Sr and 15Sr in 0.375-in. diameter cut rod, coiled rod and 0.875-in. diameter bar forms. The company announced in a press release it also plans to use the new equipment to develop new alloys.

KB Alloys also makes aluminum grain refiners, hardeners, master alloys and custom engineered materials at its facilities in Henderson, Reading and Wenatchee, Wash.

“With the onsite production of strontium metal, this new facility and equipment installation differentiates KB Alloys as a fully integrated producer of many strontium bearing alloys used in the aluminum casting industry,” said Ron Duckworth, vice president of manufacturing.